Traveling to Visit Historical Sites and Mada'in Saleh

Question:
This person is asking about visiting historical sites, specifically Mada'in Saleh. Is it permissible to go there?

Answer:
No, one does not travel for the purpose of visiting historical sites or Mada'in Saleh. Travel is only for a permissible matter, such as trade, or for a prescribed matter, such as maintaining family ties, or for an act of worship, such as the three mosques: the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: As for traveling to visit historical sites, this involves harm because it may lead to shirk (associating partners with Allah) and holding beliefs about these sites, seeking blessing from them, and rubbing against them. This is what the callers to misguidance desire.
Also, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by Mada'in Saleh, the dwellings of the people of Thamud, while on his way to Tabuk, he forbade his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) from entering, saying: "Do not enter these people who were punished, unless you are weeping, lest what befell them befall you."
Therefore, it is not permissible to travel there. However, if one passes by it without intending to visit it, having another purpose, and looks at it for the sake of reflection and admonition, not for the sake of admiration or recreation, this is not permissible because it is dangerous that one might be afflicted with what they were afflicted with. Yes.